Canterbury Bells: Constancy, from the series Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers (N75) for Duke brand cigarettes 1892

This small card, printed by the American Tobacco Company, is one of many that were included in packs of Duke brand cigarettes. Its vibrant image of Canterbury Bells was made with a technique called chromolithography, a method of color printing that allowed for mass production. Notice how this process created a visually appealing product, which served a dual purpose: to stiffen the cigarette packaging and to advertise the brand. The smooth, coated surface and the precise registration of colors speak to the industrialization of image-making in the late 19th century. The card could be collected and traded, creating a social network of consumers. This small piece of paper thus tells a big story. The card represents the intersection of commerce, art, and leisure during a period of rapid industrial growth, blurring the boundaries between fine art, advertising, and everyday life.